Frank Lalouette Collection

Royal Engineers bomb disposal team at work, [Mar 1941]
Bognor Regis. The men are tying a rope around an unexploded bomb, which has come to rest several feet below a kale field near Shripney Road. The bomb fell on 19 March 1941

Sgt Babbage lighting a cigarette, Bognor, 26 Aug 1940
On the beach at Bognor Regis close to the pier, the rescued pilot is accompanied by policemen and soldiers. Sgt Cyril Babbage belonged to 602 City of Glasgow Squadron, based at Westhampnett

VE Day in High Street, Bognor Regis, 8 May 1945
Many people are dancing to relayed music. L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/23/7

Pipe band of the London Irish Rifles [1941]
At the head of a parade along the seafront in Bognor Regis L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/10/6

Soldiers working on downed Junkers 88, Pagham Harbour, 9 Sep 1940
L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/3/37

Downed Junkers 88, Pagham Harbour, 9 Sep 1940
A soldier is pointing out bullet holes on the cockpit. L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/3/31

VE Day street party in Lyon Street, Bognor, 8 May 1945
In the background: St Johns Church and the cleared site of the Sudley Road bombing. L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/23/5

Bren Gun Carriers parading past The Arcade, Bognor, 1941
High Street. For the War Weapons Week March 1941. There are people looking out of the windows of the Westminster Bank. The salute was taken, according to the Bognor Regis Observer

Children playing in garden of bombed-out house, [Dec 1940]
[Bognor Regis]. The boy and girl are playing with toys and a damaged dolls house, sometime after the air raid of 27 December 1940

Soldier pointing pistol at fire service personnel
Bognor Regis, [1939-1945]. In a posed photograph outside The Tuck Shop at the junction of Upper Bognor Road (now the High Street) and Gloucester Road

Gun crew in action on the Esplanade, Bognor Regis 1940
Taken at the eastern end of the Esplanade in the Summer of 1940. The domed frontage of the Theatre Royal complex is on the right

Keep left bollard being taken away for scrap [1939]
At Bognor Regis. Workmen are loading it onto the back of a lorry. L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/2/3

Soldiers training with rifles and bayonets on the beach [1940]
At Bognor Regis. Two boys with pop-guns are taking part in the bayonet training. L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/2/42

Mock-attack on Town Hall, Bognor, by Home Guard
[Jul 1942]. The entrance of the Town Hall has been bricked up to create a surface air raid shelter. There is a Shelter Here - 22 sign. The 1914-1918 War Memorial is shown

Gas attack exercise in London Road, Bognor
[12 Jun 1941]. Showing the shop fronts of J H Dewhurst Ltd (butchers), Maypole Dairy Co Ltd, Lewis (tobacconist), Toogoods (ladies hairdresser), Mac Fisheries Ltd, and Pink and Sons (grocers)

Bognors Civil Defence force helping with paper salvage
[1939-1945]. The men are collecting paper and cardboard from West Street and loading it into a pick-up (the van door is signed Civil Defence Road Repair )

Sandbags being laid outside Post Office, Bognor, 1939
In the High Street; the sandbags are being filled by boys as a policeman in a tin helmet stands nearby L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/2/2

Workmen removing iron railings [1939-1945]
[Bognor Regis] L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/2/5

Removal of barbed wire from the Esplanade, Bognor, 1945
L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/23/11

Gun emplacement in [Sherwood Road], Bognor
[1939-1945]. Under camouflage netting, Royal Artillery men are taking part in a training session with the gun. L Alouette Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: L Alouette/A/1/2/111

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"Frank Lalouette: A Heroic Journey Through War and Victory" Step back in time to witness the incredible moments that shaped Frank Lalouette's life during World War II. As a member of the Royal Engineers bomb disposal team, he fearlessly tackled dangerous situations head-on, ensuring the safety of countless lives. In March 1941, amidst chaos and destruction, we catch a glimpse of Frank and his team at work, defusing deadly explosives with unwavering determination. But it wasn't just on the battlefield where Frank's bravery shone through. In August 1940, Sergeant Babbage lighting a cigarette in Bognor reveals a momentary respite from the intensity of war – a reminder that even heroes need moments to gather their strength. As VE Day dawns upon High Street in Bognor Regis on May 8th, 1945, joyous celebrations erupt all around. Amongst the jubilant crowd stands Frank Lalouette, witnessing firsthand the triumph over adversity and feeling an overwhelming sense of relief after years of sacrifice. The haunting yet mesmerizing sight of soldiers working tirelessly on downed Junkers 88 aircraft at Pagham Harbour in September 1940 showcases not only their resilience but also Frank's unwavering commitment to restoring peace amidst chaos. In Lyon Street during December 1940, children find solace amidst ruins as they play innocently in the garden of a bombed-out house, and is here that we see glimpses into humanity's ability to endure even during times when hope seems scarce. Tensions run high as fire service personnel face an armed soldier pointing his pistol towards them—an intense moment captured forever within history's grasp—a stark reminder that war brings out both heroism and unimaginable challenges for those involved. Once again stepping onto High Street for VE Day celebrations in May 1945; this time filled with exuberance as residents come together to commemorate the end of war.